For college students, the time after Thanksgiving and before Christmas is known as the worst season of them all: finals season. It's cold, we have to take cumulative tests in almost every class, and — worst of all — it's not Christmas yet. 

To give you a break from the never-ending studying and to brighten your spirits, turn to one of the best Christmas movies ever made: Elf. If Will Ferrell can't make finals season better, no one can. 

Stage 1: Motivation. 

You realize the importance of final exams to the final grades in each of your classes and vow to yourself to ace them all this year. 

Stage 2: Excitement. 

For some reason Christmas music seems to really get you through studying. You're not sure why, but you start studying early this year, hopeful that your hard work will pay off.   

Stage 3: Sleep Deprivation. 

Studying all day and all night does crazy things to you. Caffeine and sugar help some, but you've never been so exhausted. This stage ends with you falling asleep on those calc problems... probably a sign it's time to take a power nap.
       

Stage 4: Post-exam Frustration. 

That class was supposed to be easy... it'll be curved, right? You studied for hours and still feel like you failed. And the worst part is that you still have more to go.

Stage 5: Anxiety.

Anxiety from looking at your final grades, or just waiting for them to come out. You didn't sign up for this. Weeks later, and that professor still hasn't put the grades up — and the test was a Scantron. Come on. But the real question is: do you even want to see the scores?

Stage 6: Relief. 

Netflix, sleep, and holiday festivities all just became much more fun since you don't have to worry about exams. And the best part is you're one step closer to Christmas!